What Are Shopify Tags and What Are They Used For?

If you’re running an online store on Shopify, you’ve likely stumbled across the term “tags.” They’re one of those features that might seem minor at first but can transform how you manage your business. So, what are Shopify tags, and why should you care? Let’s break it down with insights straight from Shopify’s own playbook.

What Are Shopify Tags?

Shopify tags are customizable labels or keywords you can apply to various parts of your store—products, customers, orders, draft orders, transfers, and blog posts. Think of them as organizational superheroes, helping you group and find items quickly. According to Shopify’s Help Center, tags let you “organize your products, collections, orders, customers, and blog posts” by attaching meaningful descriptors like “Summer,” “VIP,” or “Urgent.”

Each tag is unique to its section—meaning a “Picked” tag for orders won’t show up in your product tags—and they’re limited in length: up to 40 characters for orders and draft orders, and up to 255 characters for products, customers, and blog posts. You can add them manually via the Shopify admin or automate them with tools like Shopify Flow. Add a tag, hit save, and it’s ready for use across similar items in that section.

What Are Shopify Tags Used For?

Tags are incredibly useful. Here’s a look at some ways you can use them throughout your store:

• Product Organization – Tags are a lifesaver for keeping your product catalog in check. Selling seasonal gear? Tag items with “Winter” or “Clearance” to pull them up fast. Shopify suggests using tags to group related items—like products from a specific manufacturer—so you can view them together. You can even use bulk actions to hide tagged products (e.g., “Summer”) from sales channels when the season ends.
  • Pro tip from Shopify: Keep tags short and simple. A tag like “Red-Shoes” (using a hyphen, the only special character Shopify fully supports) beats “Red Shoes” with a space, which might not work as expected in searches or automated collections.
• Customer Segmentation – Want to target your best customers? Tag them as “Loyal” or “Wholesale” to filter them out for special offers. Shopify notes that customer tags help you describe your audience in ways that make sense for your business—like “Tax-Exempt” for specific clients. Filter by a tag in the admin, and you’ve got a ready-made list for personalized emails or discounts.
• Order Management – Tags shine in order tracking. Shopify recommends tagging orders with terms like “Packed” or “Test” to monitor their status. Need to find all phone orders? Tag them “Phone” and filter them out in seconds. You can add or remove tags individually or in bulk via the admin—check the orders, click “Add tags,” and save.
• Inventory Tracking – Managing stock across locations? Use transfer tags like “Incoming” or “Low Stock” to stay on top of inventory movements. Tags help you filter products efficiently, so you know what’s where without digging through lists.
• Marketing and Promotions – Tags can help with your marketing as well. Create an automated collection with a tag like “Sale” to showcase discounted items instantly. Shopify explains that tags tied to collections can also improve customer searches—tag products with “Vegan,” and they’ll pop up when someone searches that term on your store. Just ensure tags are clear if they’re visible in filter menus (e.g., “Fall-2024” instead of “F24”).
• Blog and Content Management – Got a blog? Tags like “Tips” or “Reviews” group posts by topic. Shopify points out that this helps both you and your customers find relevant content fast, enhancing the browsing experience.

How to Use Tags Effectively

Shopify’s “Tag formats” guide offers tips to maximize tags:

• Use Simple Characters: Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens. Special characters like “&” or “#” might glitch in searches or filters.
• Keep Them Short: Aim for brevity—think “Blue” over “Blue-Item-Color.” Order tags max out at 40 characters; others at 255.
• Make Them Clear: Tags should make sense to you, your team, and (if visible) your customers. “Spring-2025” beats a cryptic “Sp25.”
• Avoid SEO Confusion: Tags don’t boost search engine rankings—focus on product titles and descriptions for that.

You can add tags by navigating to the relevant section (e.g., Products), opening an item’s details page, and typing or selecting from existing tags in the “Tags” section. Remove them with a click of the “x” or via the “Manage” option. For bulk edits, select multiple items, hit “Add tags” or “Remove tags,” and save.

Why Tags Matter for Your Shopify Store

Tags might not scream “game-changer,” but they are incredibly useful.  They’re not customer-facing by default, but some themes display them as filters, so pick names wisely.

For example, imagine tagging orders “Urgent” to prioritize shipping or customers “VIP” for exclusive perks. Shopify’s system supports up to 250 tags per product (unlimited for Shopify Plus users), giving you room to get creative. Pair tags with automation—like adding “New” to fresh arrivals via Shopify Flow—and you’ve got a lean, mean organizational machine.

Ready to experiment with Shopify tags? Start small—add “Sale” to a few products, set up a smart collection based off it, and build from there. Experiment, refine, and watch how this simple tool makes a big difference.